Coming soon!

Another fresh new year is here…
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest…
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!
— William Arthur Ward

The feast of St. Nicholas

      

  Ukraine celebrates the Feast of St. Nicholas - the patron saint of children and travelers - on the night of 18 to 19 December. Of a succession of St. Nicholas can be considered the most revered and well known - he is honored the Orthodox and the Catholic Church. It is believed that the first temple of a saint appeared in Kievan Rus about XIX century - on the grave of the former Prince Askold.
           St. Nicholas is famous, because he is match with the image of Santa Claus (“Grandfather Frost” in Slavic countries) - the pagan winter frosts incarnation of the Slavs (particularly were honored with the Eastern Slavs - present Ukrainians, Belarusians and Russians), and in the future (during the Soviet period) gained his fairy character of a “grandpa” giving gifts to children on New Year. Although Soviet Santa Claus bless children in the New Year, putting presents under the tree, St. Nicholas comes to their houses before the Christmas holidays: the Orthodox - on the night of 18 to 19 December, the Catholics - on the night of 5 to 6 December. Gifts that St. Nicholas brings the children, they call in Ukraine "mikolajczyk," and he puts them usually under the pillow. But in the West it is generally believed that the holy places them in the socks hanging from the fireplace or in the clothing, which was exhibited at the door. Here and there, believe that Nicholas comes to visit along with two angels and two devils who whisper to him about the child's behavior. Obedient kids get the gifts, naughty - stones and twigs!
            At the root of the holiday is the history of a man, who lived in III-IV centuries. He was called Nicholas and he was famous as a great servant of God. While a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, at the request of Nicholas its travelers prayer calmed the stormy sea. He also kept the sword of the executioner than saved from execution three men convicted innocent by a greedy mayor. He committed in his faith many other good things, for which he was honored by Christians and pagans. Nicholas died at a great age (his relics are in Bari, Italy), but the parishioners believe that he still helps all who turn to him in prayer.

80 000 англійських слів всього за 15 хвилин раз і назавжди!

Day of Armed Forces of Ukraine

 Soon in 1 day will be "The Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine"

    
This is celebrated annually on December 6. It is noteworthy that in the state there are official holidays of all branches of the armed forces - air force, navy and ground units. But here it is December 6 is celebrated holiday that symbolizes the unity of all forces of Ukraine. This holiday was approved in 1993 and ever since then it has become one of the favorite among the population. By the way, it is no coincidence selected date 6 December - on this day in 1991, a law on the formation of the Armed Forces of the independent state of Ukraine.
  During the celebration held many official events - congratulations President, laying wreaths and flowers at the monuments and memorials of military glory, meeting fellow soldiers, communication with children. In addition, in the last 10 years has become a tradition to hold a common prayer in the church for the souls of fallen soldiers and officers. On the same day, and conducted military award - the President personally presenting awards for loyalty to the Fatherland, for the courage and heroism.
  That same day, a queue of children and adults in the Museum of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. There is a great opportunity to learn about the history of weapons, troops and military operations conducted by Ukraine. Such knowledge will be useful to all, because without history there can be no people. But in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, there are recent history - the army has successfully participated in UN peacekeeping operations, and has proven successful with the disciplinary side, and from the training. Yellow-blue flag in many hot spots in the world has become a symbol of peace, friendship and support.
  Yes, in this day walking all - veterans and active military personnel and paratroopers and naval officers - this day brings all arms. In different cities and smaller regional centers are concerts, dance performances, fireworks and make fireworks show.
  According to global research, Ukraine from all non-nuclear states has the most powerful and efficient army.

Happy Thanksgiving!

ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT.

Thanksgiving Day is traditionally a day for families and friends to get together for a special meal. The meal often includes a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie, and vegetables. Thanksgiving Day is a time for many people to give thanks for what they have.

Thanksgiving Day parades are held in some cities and towns on or around Thanksgiving Day. Some parades or festivities also mark the opening of the Christmas shopping season. Some people have a four-day weekend so it is a popular time for trips and to visit family and friends.

Most government offices, businesses, schools and other organizations are closed on Thanksgiving Day. Many offices and businesses allow staff to have a four-day weekend so these offices and businesses are also closed on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day. Public transit systems do not usually operate on their regular timetables. Thanksgiving Day it is one of the busiest periods for travel in the USA. This can cause congestion and overcrowding. Seasonal parades and busy football games can cause disruption to local traffic.

Thanksgiving Day has been an annual holiday in the United States since 1863. Not everyone sees Thanksgiving Day as a cause for celebration. Each year since 1970, a group of Native Americans and their supporters have staged a protest for a National Day of Mourning at Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts on Thanksgiving Day. American Indian Heritage Day is also observed at this time of the year.

There are claims that the first Thanksgiving Day was held in the city of El Paso, Texas in 1598. Another early event was held in 1619 in the Virginia Colony. Many people trace the origins of the modern Thanksgiving Day to the harvest celebration that the Pilgrims held in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. However, their first true thanksgiving was in 1623, when they gave thanks for rain that ended a drought. These early thanksgivings took the form of a special church service, rather than a feast.

In the second half of the 1600s, thanksgivings after the harvest became more common and started to become annual events. However, it was celebrated on different days in different communities and in some places there were more than one thanksgiving each year. George Washington, the first president of the United States, proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day in 1789.

Only 2 days left! 

International Students' Day is observed on November 17, 2016. International Students' Day is an international observance of student community. Taking the day differently than its original meaning, a number of universities mark it, sometimes on a day other than November 17, for a nonpolitical celebration of the multiculturalism of their international students. The date commemorates the anniversary of the 1939 Nazi storming of the University of Prague after demonstrations against the killing of Jan Opletal and worker Václav Sedlá?ek as well as against the occupation of Czechoslovakia, and the execution of nine student leaders, over 1,200 students sent to concentration camps, and the closure of all Czech universities and colleges. (With material from: Wikipedia)
 

Birthday of Bill Gates

"If you were born poor it's not your mistake but if you die poor it's your mistske" (Bill Gates) 

 William Henry Gates was born on October 28, 1955 in Seattle, Washington. As the principal founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates is one of the most influential and richest people on the planet.Read more

Defenders' Day

   

Day of the Defender of Ukraine, also known as Defenders' Day, is a public holiday celebrated by Ukrainians on October 14. It was officially established by President Petro Poroshenko in 2014.    After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukrainians preserved the tradition of celebrating Defender of the Fatherland Day on February 23. Although it was not a public holiday, it was very popular. However, in 2014 the newly elected President Petro Poroshenko decided that Ukraine needed its own holiday dedicated to the country's defenders, which would be not related to the Soviet Union.
      Intercession of the Theotokos. It celebrates the protection given to the faithful by the Mother of God and is associated with defense of the Motherland.
  The date of October 14 was chosen because it coincides with one of the most significant feasts celebrated by the Orthodox Church, the
        
Day of the Defender of Ukraine was established to honor the courage and heroism of those who protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. It is quite symbolic that the inauguration of the holiday coincided with the Crimean crisis and the War in Donbass. As Defenders' Day is a public holiday, all employees are entitled to a paid day off.

Columbus Day

Columbus Day is a holiday celebrating the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. The event is celebrated in many countries including the United States, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Spain. 

Is Columbus Day a federal holiday?

Yes, it became a federal holiday in the United States in 1937 due to the decision of Congress and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Nowadays it is generally observed by the U.S. Postal Service, federal agencies, banks, most state government offices, most school districts and many businesses. Most states celebrate it as an official state holiday and close schools and other state services. 

When Columbus Day is celebrated?

Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October, but up until 1970 it was celebrated on October 12 to commemorate Columbus' arrival in the Americas which occurred on October 12, 1492. Since 1970, the holiday has been fixed to the second Monday in October.

What's news?

                    

At the initiative of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, the European Day of Languages has been celebrated every year since 2001 on 26 September.

Message from Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland